I’m glad the midterm election is over. Television ads overwhelmed us with smears, exaggerations, and lies… meant to divide…not unite. What a shame!

There is no question that republican tax and regulation incentives for corporations and investors resulted in a booming economy, an abundance of jobs, and rising wage rates. Yet, in spite of these positive results, the republicans were pathetically unsuccessful in communicating their message. Republicans failed to convince voters that Trump’s support for republican policies is far more important to America’s economic success than Trump’s confrontational style. As a result, republicans lost support among women, Blacks, Latinos, and college students.

The democrats were highly successful communicating their three deceptive messages: [1] That republicans will take away health insurance that covers pre-existing conditions; [2] That the republican tax cuts only helped rich people and corporations; and [3] That Donald Trump is a horrible President that must be resisted. Democrats effectively implemented their divisive strategy of “Identity Politics” whereby voters were led to believe that republicans were racist, anti-woman, anti-gay, and opposed to social justice. The democrats had a huge advantage in communicating their message: Favorable news coverage from 90% of the national news media, plus support from college professors, well known actors, musicians and entertainers, and public employee unions.

The scary part of political communication is that facts can be easily distorted, ignored, and redefined to the point where a significant number of voters are deceived. Americans have become victims of both political parties because partisan politics has prevented a united effort to solve social and economic issues. Our founding fathers stressed the importance of limited government, but failed to impose term limits on congress. That failure has had significant negative consequences. Congressional politicians are so focused on their reelection, that they ignore their fundamental legislative duties. No one holds them accountable for balancing the budget. Instead, for decades, politicians have continued to promise attractive benefits and entitlements to buy votes. These promises cannot be kept! These selfish politicians have created a monstrosity of future unfunded liabilities that will eventually bankrupt the country. They have allowed government to become so big that it is unmanageable.

This unmanageable problem can be overcome if America reforms it’s public education system. Education is the formative ingredient for sustaining the country’s ability to perpetuate Individual Freedom. The system is failing to educate students on history, economics, civics, and the role of government in a free Republic. Students need to know more than just reading, writing, and arithmetic. They also need to be aware of: the economic threat of federal debt and deficits; the need for military readiness, and cybersecurity; the importance of economic growth to fund social programs; the need for immigration reform to increase the base of workers who will pay taxes and fund Social Security; the basic incentives required to create jobs; the need for real health care reform that lowers cost, and improves quality; and the need for environmental protection that does not damage economic growth. The economy needs to be strong enough to pull people out of welfare, and into the American Dream.

Every single social and economic problem can be solved if Americans are united. An overwhelming percentage of citizens can agree on the goals. We disagree on how we get there because problem solving is polluted by politics.

Unlike the separation of church and state, our founding fathers didn’t see the threat of Socialism… because it didn’t exist then. Otherwise, they would have separated Socialism and state too. Socialism is a greater threat than terrorism, because corrupt politicians deceive Americans with false promises of government benefits to solve every social and economic need: free health care, free college, subsidized housing, government guaranteed wages, sanctuary cities, politically determined justice, and fairness… all provided by a government powered by socialists.
Barack Obama’s policies were all socialist. In his eight years of presidential power, the national debt almost doubled. The Obama economy was pathetic. Obama’s policies were anti-business. His high taxes and mindless regulations smothered investment incentives, limited job creation, and severely damaged the American Dream. The Obama Administration politicized every agency including the IRS, the EPA, the NLRB, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Justice Department, the FBI, and even the CIA. Today’s Socialist threat is greater than at any time in America’s history because the democratic party has been taken over by socialists… resisting everything, spreading hate, smears and fears thru allies in the news media, the entertainment industry, and the entire education system.
A perfect example of this threat is the behavior of Democratic Senators, in organized coordination with their socialist media allies, doing their dirtiest to smear Judge Brett Kavanaugh, and prevent him from becoming the next Justice of the Supreme Court. They made a mockery of the judicial confirmation process. The socialist smear campaign began before any testimony, before any evidence was presented, when all democrats said they believed her. Unbelievably, the democrats claimed that it was up to Judge Kavanaugh to prove his innocence. What nonsense!
The democrats used a 36 year-old, sexual assault accusation by Dr. Christine Blasey Ford, to smear Kavanaugh! They purposely held back the accusation for weeks, waiting until after the confirmation hearing was over to announce it, and demanded a new hearing. There was no mention of an alleged assault until Kavanaugh was in consideration to be nominated for the Supreme Court. Dr. Ford supposedly told a therapist of the incident decades later during marriage counseling, naming four boys as her assaulters, but not naming Kavanaugh. She conveniently, or not, forgot every detail that could have proved his innocence: the location; the date; how she learned of the party; why she went to the party; what she did before the party; the activities that took place at the party before the claimed assault; what she did after the claimed assault; how she left the party; and what she did in the days after the party. She provided conflicting dates: first recalling that the incident took place in the middle eighties, then the early eighties, and finally, it must have been in the summer of 1982. On the other hand, she maintained that her memory was absolutely clear regarding the five other people who were at the party, and details of the alleged assault. Investigators were limited to the only evidence available to support her accusation: Interviews with those who were alleged to be at the party. Every one of the people she named to be at the party were interviewed, under oath, and not one supported her accusation. Even her best friend, the other girl supposedly at the party, testified under oath that she didn’t know Kavanaugh, and didn’t recall any such party.
Furthermore, prior to her hearing, she lied to the Judiciary Committee twice. She claimed a fear of flying to delay her testimony, and she denied knowledge of the Judiciary Committee’s willingness to interview her at her California home.
Contrary to what many court experts claimed, this hearing was not a “she said-he said” dispute. It became, “she said versus what her eye witnesses said”. It was not just a “preponderance of evidence” that supported Judge Kavanaugh, it was “ALL OF THE EVIDENCE.” He is unequivocally innocent of her false claim.
Senator Whitehouse hit bottom when he analyzed Brett Kavanaugh’s high school annual. He should have analyzed Christine Ford’s high school annual [it contains some very revealing information.] Democratic high school hypocrisy is overwhelming, especially when you consider Barack Obama’s high school revelations: Obama admitted, “I spent the last two years of high school in a daze, locking away the questions that life seemed insistent on imposing. I kept playing basketball, attended classes sparingly, drank beer heavily, and tried drugs enthusiastically.” When it came to Obama, democrats said high school and college records were irrelevant and none of our business.
Dr. Ford’s testimony was, and is, hailed by democrats as credible and sympathetic without one shed of evidence. It reminds me of another “credible” person. Whenever Barack Obama spoke, he sounded credible. People believed him…”you can keep your Doctor; you can keep your health insurance; your insurance premiums will decrease by $2,500/year; this plan won’t add one dime to the deficit, etc,”…all lies. But people still believe him because he seemed so credible.
I am also reminded of another false claim against two managers of a Winchester, VA company some years ago. The claim was “sexual harassment” made by a female employee. All of her female coworkers refuted her claim, even stating that she was the one guilty of sexual harassment. Nevertheless, she obtained a local lawyer, who took the case on contingency. When the company refused to pay an exorbitant amount to settle out of court, the names of the two managers somehow became a story in the local papers. The case went to court, and after many delays and excuses, the court awarded the company a judgement of $250,000 against the claimant, and a judgement of $13,500 against her lawyer. At a cost of approximately $300,000, the company had to hire three lawyers to fight the claim: one for each of the two managers, and one for the company. The company never collected a dime of either judgement, but worse, the two good managers were smeared, and no mention of their innocence was ever published.
Several observations come to mind as I think back on this shameful display of political smears, lies, and disruption:
Senator Susan Collins should be awarded the Medal of Freedom for her courage, and brilliant analysis of right and wrong;
Senator Lisa Murkowski should be awarded something for her high standard of “perfect temperament” for seekers of a seat on the Supreme Court. However, only one person in history could meet her high standard, and that person is seated at the Right Hand Of GOD.
Senator Lindsey Graham is a hero for calling out his power hungry, despicable democratic “colleagues” for their willingness to destroy a man and his family’s life…and their willingness to ignore a bedrock of American freedom…a person is innocent until proven guilty.
Senator McConnell showed skill, patience, and decency in his position as Senate Majority Leader.
Senator Hirono managed to make Nancy Pelosi look intelligent.
America is at risk. I believe we are in our second civil war, and no one seems to notice. We could solve any problem if we are united. Sadly, the democratic political strategy is deliberately divisive. Their scheme to regain political power is to divide Americans based on income, age, gender, race, sexual preference, and other identities which can provide votes. This strategy is known as “Identity Politics”.
Think about their divisive “Identity” strategies: Democrats want African Americans to think republicans are racists even though all inner cities are poorly governed by democrats, and nothing has been done for decades to end the cycle of poverty and hopelessness. Democrats want Latinos to think republicans are against all immigrants even though it was democrats that prevented solutions to the immigration problem when they had overwhelming control of congress and the presidency during Obama’s first two years as President. Democrats want environmentalists to think republicans are against climate change when the real problem is the democratic solution to climate change: huge new taxes on oil, gas, and coal, destroying America’s economy, and having zero impact on the environment. Democrats want the poor and disadvantaged to believe republicans are against minimum wages and welfare, when democratic policies are preventing economic growth and prosperity that would bring high wages and funding for all welfare programs. Democrats want students to believe that socialist government policies will solve all economic and social problems, yet their allies in the education system have prevented students from learning the failure of socialism, everywhere it has infected governments. Democrats want women to believe republicans would destroy women’s health care, yet the democrats do not mention that prevention of unwanted pregnancies is a viable solution to “women’s health care.” Democrats demonize the separation of babies from their illegal immigrant mothers, while at the same time they support the separation of babies from their mother’s womb.
The biggest risk to freedom, and the American Dream is that hatred of Donald Trump will blind voters to the threat of Socialism. Democratic lies and smears continue against Justice Kavanaugh, in direct contradiction of the evidence. Hopefully, enough Americans will see the hypocrisy and evil that a coordinated campaign of smears, fear mongering, and roving, black hooded mobs can create. The economy is booming. Voters can prevent Nancy Pelosi and her socialist colleagues from destroying it.

The sky is falling! The sky is falling! Wolf! Wolf! Armageddon! The end of women’s health care! Crumbs! The death of democracy! Russia, Russia, Russia! Separation of children! Nazis! Fascists! Racists! Liars! Tax cuts for the rich! Crumbs! Climate Change! Gun Control! Protest! Surround the Capital with your bodies!

In case you haven’t heard, the midterm elections are coming, and the hysterical scare tactics are on overdrive. The democrats would have us believe that the most important issue of our lifetime is to impeach Trump…and never mind the booming economy, historically low unemployment rates, job creation, wage growth, etc.

Sadly, too many people fall victim to this fear-mongering deception. In November, a misinformed person may vote based on impeachment without regard to the economic consequences. If enough do, Nancy Pelosi will become Speaker of the House, and resist every policy that President Trump supports. Or, informed voters may choose to elect enough Republicans to keep Nancy Pelosi from becoming Speaker of the house, and continue implementing policies that promote jobs, and economic growth.

Other than Trump and Pelosi, the policy positions on key issues are so starkly different that voters can easily choose which party should be in power. The choice is between Democrats that support government controlled Socialism, or Republicans that support the Free Enterprise System. Voters are not stupid. They can determine the importance of policy over personality. Economic Growth is the most critical issue because it determines the funding that will be available to support all other issues: National security, health care, welfare, environmental protection, job creation, and the American Dream are all dependent on economic prosperity.

There is now overwhelming evidence that tax cuts and regulation relief for businesses have created a strong economy. A strong economy creates jobs and wage growth. For the first time in decades, there are more jobs available than workers to fill them. Consumer confidence in the economy is surging.

Democrats do not have a single policy that supports economic growth…not one. Instead, Democrats are proposing a $15 minimum wage, free health care for all, free college, open borders, sanctuary cities, and a huge new tax that they never discuss. The Democratic solution to Climate Change is to impose new taxes on oil, gas, and coal. Their idea is to make the costs of driving our cars, and heating our homes so high that we will reduce our use of oil, gas, and coal. Of course this is nonsense. It can’t be done. That is why they never discuss the cost. It is another deception. America could be papered with windmills and solar panels, and the impact on the climate would be negligible. A reliable, cost-competitive substitute for oil, gas and coal is not yet available, and won’t be for decades.

After almost two years of the Special Counsel’s investigation, there is no evidence of Trump-Russia “collusion,”and no evidence that President Trump fired the FBI Director to ‘obstruct’ justice. However, evidence is growing that senior officials of the CIA, FBI, and Justice Department conspired against Trump, and set in motion an “insurance policy” to undermine his presidency. Imagine the unintended consequences if the Justice Department’s Inspector General’s investigation determines that Russian Collusion was a hoax, a deliberate scheme to overthrow a president. Stay tuned, this could be the greatest scandal in the history of our country.

This major problem, ignored for decades, is now so out-of-control that it threatens America’s security. Failure to properly control the Mexican border has allowed multiple access points for gangs, and illegal drugs to flood into the United States. Terrorists are very aware of this access. Failure to enforce temporary work permits has resulted in millions of illegal immigrants hiding in cities across the country. Children of illegal immigrants, with or without parents, have added a humane urgency to the issue. The threat is not just gangs, drugs and terrorists entering the country illegally, but includes the huge drain on public resources to feed, house, clothe, educate, and provide medical services to the illegal population. Immigration laws are ineffective, and self defeating. Detention centers are overflowing, and the court system, charged with determining each individual’s immigrant status, is overwhelmed.

The threat is magnified by political polarization. Democrats see an opportunity to create a vast new voter base, and are supporting blanket amnesty, and open borders. A growing number of Democratic politicians are ignoring federal law, having declared their cities to be “sanctuaries” for illegal immigrants, illegally protecting them from federal prosecution and deportation. Some city and county governments have actually given illegals the right to vote on local matters. California’s governor, and the democratically controlled legislature, have declared their state to be a “sanctuary state” and have even approved the right of an illegal alien to practice law. Democrats, and their friends in the media, want to hide the fact that President Obama could have fixed this problem as he promised when Democrats controlled veto-proof majorities in both houses of Congress. Obama did not fix it because he wanted another angry political base to keep his party in power. Republicans can’t agree on any solutions except building a border wall, giving legal status to “dreamers,” and preventing separation of children from parents. It has become politically difficult to develop a comprehensive solution given the number of differing opinions. Even if Republicans agreed on a comprehensive solution, the Democrats wouldn’t support it.

Immigration will continue to be a major topic until the problem is solved. I believe several legislative actions need to be initiated, but it may have to happen in stages over time, given the political agendas of selfish politicians.

First, The border must be secured, and entry controlled. If not, the problem will never be solved. Current policies dealing with illegal immigrants like “Catch and Release” are self defeating, and create unmanageable bureaucratic nightmares. It is insane to allow any more illegal immigrants the same due process that is available to those arriving at legal ports of entry. Illegals should be escorted out of the country immediately without any due process hearing. Americans must be protected from the influx of criminals, drugs, terrorists, and the uninterrupted flow of illegals. It is the highest priority and duty of the federal government.

Second, We need to identify the illegal population already here. The idea that millions of illegal immigrants could be arrested, and deported is unrealistic, and… unaffordable! Mass deportation of a population that has been in the US for years misses an opportunity to solve the need for lower skilled workers. There are jobs available in the U.S. that no U.S. citizen will take. We should significantly expand guest worker programs for these jobs starting with the population living here illegally. This would not grant them the right to vote. That right has to be earned just like any new immigrant. Border enforcement will become much more manageable if visas are available.

Third, Because of America’s low birth rate and longer life spans, there will be huge increases in the Social Security/Medicare population. We need many more workers to fund these programs. This will require a much greater increase in legal immigration, no matter how we solve the illegal population problem. Immigration policy should be prioritized by merit, and skills that America needs, rather than automatic entry by “Chain Migration.” This doesn’t mean that family members wishing to migrate should be denied entry forever. But entry should no longer be automatic, every potential immigrant should be evaluated on an individual basis.

Fourth, We need to accelerate the path to permanent residency for highly skilled foreign students who are now required to return to their own country once their studies have been completed. Most of the highly skilled would elect to stay. They could become valuable employees, and/or potential job-creating entrepreneurs.

Finally, Once the border is secured, and immigration laws are rewritten to address America’s future needs, we should develop a citizenship opportunity for the entire illegal population… providing they have obeyed all other US laws. Illegal immigrants who have committed crimes, and are members of gangs must be deported or jailed. The requirements to achieve citizenship should include a tax-paying job, and economic self-sufficiency. It makes no sense to add welfare recipients to a Socialist voting base, but if given a chance to achieve the American Dream, these people could become outstanding citizens.

In addition to resisting every Trump proposal and policy, the Democratic reelection playbook is based on Class Warfare, challenging the benefits of tax cuts and regulation reforms that Republicans implemented in Trump’s first year in office. Since the Democratic Party has no plan to create economic prosperity and jobs, they are stuck with the Class Warfare strategy of Socialism. This strategy is based on convincing voters that [1], we are victims of an unfair government policy that favors rich people and large corporations, and [2] if we vote for Democrats, the rich will be taxed and their wealth will be redistributed to pay for benefits that will go to us.

Class Warfare is inherently evil, because it’s fundamental purpose is to gain control of government by exploiting the best and worst characteristics of human nature. Socialists exploit the best in people with sanctimonious promises that manipulate a person’s natural wish to do good, convincing compassionate voters that only the government can help the less fortunate among us. Socialists stimulate the worst in people by stoking the fires of envy, and the desire to take what others have. At it’s very core, Class Warfare is evil because it undermines the founding principles that created the greatest country on earth: that every American is free to pursue his or her dreams, and that there are no limits on the dreams of a free people. Class Warfare limits the American Dream.

Class Warfare is deliberately divisive: It is the cornerstone of the Democratic Party’s “identity politics” strategy for winning elections: The political intent is to create division and anger. Class Warfare targets wealthy people and large corporations, who are demonized with passionate rhetoric calling for “fairness” and demands that the rich pay punitively higher taxes. Fairness is never defined, and the “rich” are always described as multimillionaires and billionaires. Of course there is no mention that almost 50% of the working population pay no federal income taxes at all…

Class Warfare is deliberately deceptive: Because it purposely fails to mention it’s devastating impact on freedom, opportunity, economic growth, and jobs. Deceived voters learn too late that Class Warfare ultimately results in an inability of government to fund it’s false promises.

Class Warfare is economically destructive: It destroys business incentives. It overtaxes the profits of free enterprise, and increases the costs of free enterprise…creating a mindless, negative economic environment. It limits job creation and unnecessarily expands the welfare population. It limits the ability of American businesses to compete in a global economy. This is why corporations move from high tax states to low tax states, and sometimes even out of the country.

Class Warfare ignores the costs, and benefitsof government-provided social programs: Socialists cannot gain power without promising something for nothing to potential voters. The result has been a significant increase in underfunded government benefits, and more benefits are being offered by Socialist politicians every day: free college, higher minimum wages, free health care, paid time off, expanded unemployment benefits, etc. Every year, the federal government must borrow billions of dollars to fund benefits that cannot be paid for without additional debt. This economic insanity will bankrupt the country in the not too distant future. When that day comes, funds for every social benefit will be drastically cut.

Class Warfare is government-sponsored discrimination. The rich are the only minority whose freedom is not protected by the government. Class Warfare is anti-American because government’s main responsibility is to protect freedom, including the freedom of the rich.

Socialist politicians never discuss the positive impact of the rich. The rich pay the majority of taxes, provide jobs across the economic spectrum, are the leading contributors to charity, are actively involved in civic service, and have a significant impact on a higher standard of living for everyone.

It is a travesty that American public schools don’t teach the negative history of Socialism compared with the positive history of Freedom. Class Warfare is the catalyst for Socialist government policy, which limits freedom through high taxes, out-of-control spending, and overregulation. Freedom is the catalyst for prosperity, and opportunity for everyone.

I recently published a summary from my last Post, “2018 Midterm Election,” in my local newspaper, the “Winchester Star.” It was well received except for a nasty rebuttal that could have been written by the Democratic National Committee. The rebuttal gave me an opportunity to clarify my position on the upcoming election, and today I share it with you.

“In response to Chris Wiegard’s deliberate mischaracterization of my Open Forum remarks, I feel compelled to set the record straight . He ignored the issues and made statements that twisted the truth. His false statement that I believe “Democrats are evil and Trump is a great leader,” is classic political smear and spin. Nothing could be further from the truth. Half of my family and half of my friends are Democrats. We need each other. I believe that Americans of every political persuasion can resolve any issue if we are united. Divided, we will never solve the issues.

I do believe that Socialism is evil, that it gradually destroys freedom. But that discussion will have to wait. The Democratic party that I once supported is gone. Democrats that support the right to life, prevention of illegal immigration, a sensible energy policy, and tax cuts for job creators, are not welcome in today’s Democratic party.

I was surprised to read that Mr. Wiegard has discovered the rising national debt. He seems concerned and blames it on Trump. Not surprising is that he ignored the fact that the debt doubled under President Obama.

I said,“Voters are not stupid, they are just uninformed, and misinformed.” I did not say “Blame the Voters.” It is vitally important that very voter be informed on issues.

Mr. Wiegard went out of his way to distort my views on Climate Change. Calling the issue, “Climate Change” is intentionally misleading, implying that every severe weather event to be the result of man. Nature’s impact on climate change is never discussed. The positive impact of Global Warming is never discussed. Thousands of years ago, Nature’s warming, not man, caused glaciers that covered much of North America to melt. The result was to make millions of acres blossom into new fields of grass, with lakes, rivers, trees, shrubs, and flowers, teeming with wildlife. Visit Montana, or Canada, and you can see it with your own eyes. The Democratic “solution” to Climate Change is to commit economic suicide by enacting a massive new energy tax on oil, gas, and coal. There is no discussion of the devastating economic impact these taxes will haveon all Americans. Worst of all, there is zero proof that these new taxes will improve the climate at all.”

The 2018 midterm election is a challenge for both parties. Republicans have yet to convince enough voters that policies based on economic prosperity are more important than Trump’s personality. Even with a booming economy due to tax reduction and regulation relief, Republicans have done a lousy job of communicating the benefits of their policies. Republicans have the greatest opportunity to grow the economy, and fix decades of bad government policies, but it won’t matter if they fail to communicate, and educate voters.

Democrats, with their message of resistance, smear, fear, and spin, have been somewhat successful convincing voters that Trump is so bad that policies don’t matter. The liberal news media, joined at the hip with Democrats, has suppressed positive news with a relentless focus on the negative. Democrats can also depend on President Trump, who is his own worst enemy with impulsive tweet after tweet.

The Independent Counsel Investigation continues along with no evidence of ending, no evidence of Trump Collusion with the Russians, and no evidence of Obstruction by Trump. This helps Democrats because, until the investigation ends, they can say, “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire”…even though it’s the Democrats who are creating all the “smoke”. Based on recent facts, it appears that the only evidence of collusion with Russians, is through Hillary’s campaign, and the only evidence of obstruction of justice is by Obama’s Justice Department, and senior leaders of the FBI.

Sadly, Democrats are incapable of improving the economy because they are so committed to an anti-American campaign strategy of demonizing the rich. This is the reason that no Democrat voted for tax reductions. A political strategy that fails to address economic growth is risky because it is based on voter apathy and ignorance. An overwhelming number of voters are unaware that business success is the key to jobs, and the American Dream. Business success provides the funding for every government benefit. Retirement benefits, health care benefits, social services, education, peace, and prosperity are all dependent on business success. Voters are not stupid. They are just uninformed and misinformed.

The best way to inform the public is to question each candidate’s position on the issues. Voters should know what each candidate would do to ensure the basic, most critical functions of government? What are the candidate’s policy priorities? Every issue needs to be discussed in detail: Job Creation; Tax Policy; Spending Policy; Federal Debt; Military Readiness; Radical Islamic Terrorism; Threats from Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran; Education; Entitlements; Immigration; andClimate Change.

Every issue is complex, especially Climate Change. It serves as a good example for the type of questions that need to be put to each candidate: Is this issue the greatest threat to America’s future? Isn’t the real concern, “Global Warming”? Can government change the climate? Can government dictate the strength and direction of jet streams? Stop volcano eruptions? Make it rain in areas of drought? Minimize the devastation of hurricanes, floods, and tornados? Please explain how a huge new tax on American oil, gas, and coal will change the climate? Based on what facts? What will be the increased energy cost to Americans, and the impact on the economy? Is the cost worth the benefit? Who benefits from all these new taxes?

Alas, the delusional democrats are coming to realize that there is no evidence of Trump’s election campaign collusion with Russia. The democrats are also learning that Donald Trump did not obstruct any FBI investigation. So democratic strategy is now focused on total opposition to the TAX CUTS and JOBS ACT of 2017. Under Barack Obama, the nation’s debt doubled from ten trillion dollars to twenty trillion in only eight years. After ignoring the debt entirely, the democrats now demonize the new law claiming that it will add one trillion to the debt over the next ten years. Hypocrites? That claim will be proved wrong. Sadly, the democratic party has sunk so low, that their future election hopes are based on smears, distortion, and outright lies. This is the same party that told Americans they could keep their doctor, that their health premiums would decrease by $2,500/year, and other whoppers. They still think Americans are stupid. Democrats do not have any proposal to create jobs, grow the economy, reduce the national debt, and make government efficient. Their puppets in the news media have become so immersed in Socialist ideology that they have no idea why, or how, America became the greatest nation on earth.

Republicans make a huge mistake claiming the Tax Cut and Jobs Act is mainly for the “middle class.” It is much more than that. It is for all Americans because it revitalizes America’s economy. It makes American corporations, and small businesses competitive in a global economy. It provides huge incentives for entrepreneurs and businesses to grow, expand, invest, and locate in America. Economic growth, job creation, wage gains, and the standard of living for every American will be significantly improved. The huge stock market boom that began the day after Donald Trump’s election is overwhelming evidence that tax cuts, regulation relief, and a business friendly government will benefit every American. 52% of US adults are invested in the stock market, many through corporate pension plans. The value of those plans has already soared. New opportunities for those without pension plans, and without jobs will quickly develop as American business becomes more free from government micromanagement. Opportunity for all will be much greater than that available under the socialist policies of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, and Chuck Schumer.

The Free Enterprise System is the catalyst that provides salaries, wages, bonuses, pensions, health insurance, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, sick leave pay, vacation pay, and holiday pay for American employees. The Free Enterprise System is the catalyst that creates the taxpayers that fund everything that government provides. Virtually every government job and program depends on the success of private employers, big and small. Not one entitlement program can exist without American businesses, and their employees. Yet, democratic politicians are desperate to hide this truth, because it exposes their anti-business, anti-American, socialist, class warfare strategy for what it is: A DELIBERATE, CALCULATING LIE that divides the country, and ruins the economy.

Republicans must move on to other reforms because much more needs to be done. They must revise Senate rules that mindlessly bind their ability to fix the mess that decades of political stupidity have created. The “Byrd Rule” is nothing more than smoke and mirrors, and totally worthless. If it was effective, federal debt would be decreasing, not exploding out of control. The main problem causing deficits and massive debt is out-of-control spending, especially entitlements. Entitlement reform must be enacted to save these programs. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are all projected to go bankrupt in a few years. There are three keys to reform: First, is adusting eligibility to correlate with longer life spans; Second, is means testing so that wealthier beneficiaries pay more for their benefits; and Third, is strict oversight of each program to identify waste, abuse, and opportunities to improve. America can no longer afford nonessential programs that consume funding that should be used for America’s priorities. Every single non-essential program must be eliminated. Maintenance of military equipment has been delayed due to lack of funds. Training of military personnel has been reduced due to lack of funds. Infrastructure funding is needed. Bridges, roads, and the electric grid need to be repaired and upgraded. Cybersecurity capabilities need to be a high priority which requires new funding. Welfare programs must be consolidated and managed so that vital funds get to where they are most needed, and all disincentives to work are eliminated.

The current debate about tax reform has exposed the sorry state of politics in America today. The American people continue to be the losers in this debate, because for decades, economic growth has been limited due to bad tax policy, reckless spending policy, mindless Congressional rules, and unrelenting deception. The Senate has tied itself into knots with restrictive rules that prevent its ability to do its job. Republicans can’t agree on the size of tax cuts, distribution of tax cuts, timing of tax cuts, and which tax deductions to keep, or eliminate. Lost in the debate is the underlying purpose for tax reform: The need to provide incentives for businesses and entrepreneurs to, [1] Grow the economy, [2] Locate in America, [3] Create jobs, [4] Make American businesses competitive in global markets, and [5] Generate a strong catalyst for wage increases.

A group of republican senators are threatening to vote against the tax reform proposal using the excuse that it will increase the national debt. They are deceiving themselves and their constituents. Could it be that their real reason is their animosity towards Donald Trump? If so, are they willing to damage the country to prevent Trump from any success? The national debt will explode if congress doesn’t dramatically stimulate the forces that grow the economy.

A perfect example of bad government policy is the current tax code, which is a monstrosity with almost 74,000 pages of waivers, carveouts,and special interest favors. 97% of all income taxes are paid by 50% of American taxpayers, many of whom are mislabeled as “The Rich”. Over 45% of American households do not pay federal income taxes. The tax code is so absurd that Millions of Americans get income tax refunds even though they pay no taxes! The tax code is unfair…from top to bottom.

Democratic politicians have duped millions of democrats, and thousands of millennials into becoming the enemy of free enterprise, and the main obstacle to economic growth. These politicians preach their socialist doctrine of “fairness”, “tax the rich”, and “corporate greed”. Their divisive accusations are deliberately deceptive using class warfare: Claiming the rich don’t pay their fair share, that corporations exploit their workers, and that we, the non-rich, are all victims of the rich. The deception is truly evil because it is based on one of the “Seven Deadly Sins” [ENVY] and encourages the desire to take what others have earned. The democratic party’s negative impact on economic growth does not end with bad tax policy. Democratic politicians also divide Americans on spending policy: Democrats support a $15 minimum wage; paid “family leave”; free college; open borders; sanctuary cities; ObamaCare; subsidies and mandates for renewable energy; and an expansion of eligibility for a multitude of welfare benefits. Not one of these socialist policies is intended to grow the economy. Every one of these policies is an attempt to buy votes and gain power. Millions of well-meaning people, wanting nothing more than to do good, have fallen into the socialist trap. The irony of this strategy to gain power is that it won’t help the people that the socialists claim to be helping. Entitlements and every other social program need funding. Americans need good paying jobs. The economy needs nonpartisan, common sense policies to grow. The economy cannot reach its growth potential without massive reform of tax policy, spending policy, and regulation reform. Only then, can the creative energy and ingenuity of America be unleashed.

Both political parties have created a tax and spend recipe for economic stagnation and eventual disaster. The American Dream is out of reach for a majority of young Americans. The freedoms we enjoy are not free. Fairness means that everyone must pay taxes. Everyone. We cannot survive as a free country when 45% of households do not pay income taxes. Tax rates higher than 20% are excessive and confiscatory. No one, no matter how rich, should pay more. Congress is trusted with the responsibility of managing the budget and ensuring [our highest priority] that we have the resources to remain free. They have failed…year after year! Spending policy must be the next political priority. Entitlements must be reformed. At a minimum, these programs must be means-tested and adjusted for longer life spans. A recent research report on health and aging predicts that 50% of babies born today will live to an average age of 104.

The 2018 election will be historic for several reasons. To quote Betty Davis, “Hold on to your seats, it’s going to be a bumpy ride.” Americans are divided on economic, social, and cultural issues. Two competing political strategies will determine the election outcome. They could not be more different. Democrats have chosen a strategy of divide and conquer using using the following issues: class warfare, racism, sanctuary for illegal immigrants, universal health care, abortion rights, free college, gun control, climate change, minimum wage increases, and resistance to everything Trump.

Republicans have chosen a strategy of growing the economy, and strengthening the Free Enterprise System by: repealing and replacing ObamaCare; reducing taxes, and simplifying the tax code; increasing the supply, and decreasing the cost of energy; enacting business regulation reform, and education reform; restoring military capability; investing in infrastructure; preventing illegal immigration; and praying that President Trump will restrict his tweets and insults.

The strategy of resistance to Trump may backfire because democrats have not cooperated on any republican-proposed policy, no matter its benefits to the country. Democrats have limited their ability to offer any meaningful solution to economic growth because of their class warfare strategy. As a result, democrats have not offered a single plan to promote economic growth, which is critical for job growth, wage growth, and restoring the American Dream. Ironically, economic growth is the only solution that can possibly fulfill all the social promises supposedly championed by democrats.

Democrats have milked the Trump-Russian “collusion illusion” for almost a year with no evidence of collusion, but a waste of millions of dollars and time. If the Special Counsel Investigation is honest, it may discover actual collusion involving Clinton Foundation corruption, and the bribery involved in the sale of 20% of America’s uranium supply to the Russians.

Bernie and the democrats are now proposing nationalized health care…a complete government takeover of health care in America. It may be political suicide. Republicans will be able to say, “If you like the way government has mismanaged ObamaCare, and the VA Hospital system, you’ll love the democrats determining what illnesses are covered by insurance, what doctors you can see, what hospitals you can go to, and what you will be charged. It was a huge mistake for democrats to do nothing to correct the many shortcomings of ObamaCare while President Obama was in office. Unbelievably, they now think they can shift the blame to republicans for a failure to fix ObamaCare. They must still believe Americans are stupid.

Climate change policy is another challenge for democrats. The claim that man is the cause of recent extreme weather is extremely biased speculation and deception. Thousands of years of history indisputably show that extreme climate changes have always occurred, and were not caused by man. Even if man were responsible for all changes in the climate, the suggestion that man can actually eliminate extreme changes is absurd. Democrats propose that we dramatically increase taxes on oil, gas, and coal energy sources to solve the problem. Sooner, or later, Americans will learn the extreme cost of this misguided democratic tax solution, and they will also learn that these tax increases will not affect changes in climate activity whatsoever. The public has conveniently been left in the dark about how these huge taxes would affect them, and where the tax revenues would be spent.

Republicans have two unusual challenges. One is Donald Trump. He is his own worst enemy with his tweets and insults. Nevertheless, love him or loath him, he is key to republican election success. He will support all of the republican strategies, and proposals mentioned above. Unfortunately, it will be impossible to prevent him from saying what is on his mind, regardless of the damage it could do. The second challenge is uniting majority support behind republican goals, especially in the Senate. A small number of selfish, single-minded senators could actually destroy the republican majority. These senators seem oblivious to the fact that failure is not an option. Achieving republican goals in this congress may be the last chance to save America from Socialism.

Meanwhile, the opportunity for Congressional Term Limits is gaining strength day by day….